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23 Nov 2005 : Column 1979W—continued
Cataract Operations
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cataract operations were carried out by the NHS in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and what the current waiting time is for a cataract operation in Northern Ireland. [31270]
Mr. Woodward:
Information on the number of cataract operations carried out in acute hospitals in Northern Ireland in each year from 2000–01 to 2004–05 (the latest year for which data are available) is shown in the table as follows.
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| Number of cataract operations | |
|---|---|
| 2004–05 | 8,381 |
| 2003–04 | 8,501 |
| 2002–03 | 7,666 |
| 2001–02 | 7,187 |
| 2000–01 | 7,178 |
Source:
Hospital In-patient System
Information on patients waiting is collected by time-band. The number of people waiting for a cataract operation in Northern Ireland, at 30 June 2005, is shown in the table as follows:
| Months waiting | Position at 30 June 2005 |
|---|---|
| 0–2 | 1,498 |
| 3–5 | 956 |
| 6–8 | 481 |
| 9–11 | 124 |
| 12–14 | 117 |
| 15–17 | 36 |
| 18–20 | 5 |
| 21–23 | 0 |
| 24+ | 5 |
| Total waiting | 3,222 |
Source:
PFA 211 Departmental Information Return
Child Support Agency
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to reform the Child Support Agency in Northern Ireland. [31052]
Mr. Hanson: The Northern Ireland Child Support Agency is awaiting the final details of the Great Britain strategic review, which is being led by Stephen Geraghty, chief executive of the Child Support Agency in Great Britain. When this information is available an improvement plan for the Northern Ireland Agency will be developed.
Children's Fund
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the funding for the Children's Fund set out in the budget for Northern Ireland is new money; and when the executive programme funds will be reinstated. [29526]
Angela E. Smith: Yes. The allocations for the Children and Young People's priority funding package represent additional resources, as opposed to the reallocation of money previously allocated to other public services within Northern Ireland.
There are no plans to reinstate the Executive Programme Funds (EPFs). However, the three priority funding packages announced in the Draft Priorities and Budget 2006–08 will build on the positive aspects of the EPFs, in that they are focused on priority areas and will encourage a cross-cutting approach to the underlying issues.
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Correspondence
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the letter of 17 October ref: (COR403/2005) to the hon. Lady for North Down, on Kingsland School, when he will write to the hon. Lady with the update indicated in his letter. [30295]
Angela E. Smith: Due to the complex nature of this case it has been necessary for the Department to seek legal advice. A response will be issued to the hon. Lady when the Department has considered the legal advice to be provided.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will reply to the letter of 26 September 2005 from the hon. Lady for North Down on mattress provision for myalgic encephalomyelitis in Northern Ireland. [30325]
Mr. Woodward:
The response will be issued shortly.
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Citizens Advice Bureaux
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial aid has been granted by each council in Northern Ireland to citizens' advice bureaux in each year since 2001. [30196]
Mr. Hanson: The primary source of funding for local voluntary advice services, including Citizens Advice Bureaux, is the Community Support Programme. This is a joint initiative involving the Department for Social Development (DSD) and District Councils. The following table outlines each Council's contribution to local advice services in 2004–05, this includes both Citizens Advice Bureaux and other independent advice providers. The DSD allocation is also included for information.
Details of Council allocations to advice services from 2001–02 to 2003–04 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial assistance has been given to citizens' advice bureaux in Northern Ireland by Government departments in each year since 2001. [30195]
Mr. Hanson: The primary source of funding for local voluntary advice services, including Citizens Advice Bureaux, is the Community Support Programme. This is a joint initiative involving the Department for Social Development (DSD) and District Councils. Other Government Departments provide specific funding to organisations to deliver advice services on issues which fall within their policy responsibility. The table outlines Government funding to Citizens Advice Bureaux in the financial years from 2001–02 to 2004–05.
DSD has been leading on the development of a strategy for supporting delivery of voluntary advice services and this will be launched for consultation in December 2005.
(3) This includes the Department's contribution to the Community Support Programme, delivered through District Councils. Funding is provided to both Citizens Advice Bureaux and other independent providers. The DSD allocation to advice services from 2001–02 to 2003–04 is an estimation based on the recommended percentage output for advice services in this period.(4)
(5) Review of the Districts' Community Services Programme (DSD February 2000).
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Civil Service
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of starting salaries of civil servants in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Wales; and if he will make a statement. [29139]
Angela E. Smith: Starting salaries for new recruits in the Northern Ireland Civil Service are relative to what is necessary to recruit, retain and motivate staff. A new member of staff is usually recruited at the minimum of the pay scale unless there are business reasons to justify a higher starting salary (e.g. because of market forces or the applicant having relevant additional qualifications and/or experience).
Starting pay for new recruits in the National Assembly for Wales is normally at the pay scale minimum unless the skills, knowledge and experience essential for the post justify a higher starting salary.
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